By news@appleinsider.com (William Gallagher) In what appears to be an iOS 18 bug, users of iPhones including the iPhone 16 Pro are reporting touches and taps not being recognized.Some iPhone 16 Pro users are reporting touch screen issues and others say it’s affecting the Camera Control buttonIt’s not clear how widespread the issue is, but broadly some users are finding that their touchscreens are ignoring taps, swipes, and other gestures. The problem is not consistent, either, but typically the issue appears to resolve itself within a few moments — until it later reoccurs.Most reports concern the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, but they are not exclusive to the new models. Instead, anecdotal evidence appears to suggest that the problem lies with iOS 18. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Charles Martin) A repair specialist on YouTube specializing in HomePod and other Apple device remediation has discovered that the debug port on the bottom of first-gen HomePods can be adapted to be used as a direct speaker for Mac.Even the first-generation HomePod has a few hidden tricks up its sleeve.YouTube creator “NicsFix” recently posted a video featuring a first-generation HomePod that had a dead Wi-Fi chip, rendering it unable to be used on a Wi-Fi network. While plugging in a custom cable he made to fit the debug port hidden inside the bottom of the HomePod, he discovered that plugging the USB end into his Mac made the HomePod appear as a USB speaker.The test HomePod’s other components worked fine, but the Wi-Fi chip was unrepairable unless one could source a replacement. Because the USB connection appeared to allow the HomePod to be used as a speaker, Nic experimented further. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Charles Martin) It’s still possible to get a new iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max from retailers if you hurry, but Apple has officially discontinued both 2023 models, as well as the iPhone 13 and other products as part of its annual streamlining.The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, despite their compatibility with Apple Intelligence, have been discontinued.As it does every year, Apple has officially discontinued a list of products that have been replaced by newer items. In keeping with this practice, the company has discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max — the two previous iPhones capable of running Apple Intelligence.Buyers who might still prefer those models should still be able to find stock for a limited time online and at third-party retail stores until inventory runs out. Some stores are offering discounts on both models to clear existing stock. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Christine McKee) Amazon is getting in on the Apple Watch deals action ahead of Fall Prime Day by knocking $50 off new 2024 Apple Watch Ultra 2 styles.Apple Watch Ultra 2 with new black titanium case is on sale.We’re following Apple Watch price drops on the new Ultra 2 case color, and today Amazon is offering $50 off several 2024 styles.Pick up the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a black titanium case for $749.99 with select band styles, which matches the lowest price we’ve seen since the new case color was announced on Sept. 9. Continue Reading on AppleInsider
By news@appleinsider.com (Charles Martin) The traditional teardown by repair site iFixit has given the iPhone 16 lineup the highest repairability score of any previous iPhone, thanks to three key changes in the design and internals that make it easier to access components.The iPhone 16 lineup is easier to disassemble than ever before. Photo credit: iFixitThe rating, which is provisional pending Apple’s release of parts, is based on what iFixit identifies as three major changes. As noted in an earlier teardown, rumors of Apple encasing the iPhone 16 Pro battery in hard steel case have proven to be true.”Hard cell batteries instead of soft pouch batteries won’t get accidentally punctured by a slip of a screwdriver, and so they’re way less likely to catch fire,” iFixit noted on its blog, greatly reducing the risk of battery damage. The company also praised Apple’s change to a new adhesive that secures that battery, which can now be debonded when one passes an small electrical current through it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Charles Martin) Apple will be rolling out Apple Intelligence features to qualifying iPhones as quickly as it can, with as many as three updates before year’s end. Some major components, including big changes to Siri, may have to wait until early 2025.The full rollout of the Apple Intelligence upgrade will continue into early 2025.Apple has continued to emphasize the forthcoming Apple Intelligence features as a key element of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia, but the new technology is coming in bits across late 2024 and into early 2025. One of the biggest pieces of the new updates is a totally revamped and more personal Siri, but the biggest upgrades to it will be among the last new features to arrive.Bloomberg is reporting that iOS 18.2 and iOS 18.3 are planned to roll out in December, following the release of iOS 18.1 in mid-October. The first big update to iOS 18 should coincide with a second expected Apple Event that will feature new and updated Macs. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Charles Martin) In a new interview, a trio of Apple executives reflect on the Apple Watch Series 10 and how some of its original innovations came from influences outside the company.The new Apple Watch series 10 (left), and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (right).The Apple Watch isn’t just the most popular digital wristwatch in the world: at 100 million sold as of 2021, it may be the best-selling watch of all time. While the analog watch industry is still enjoying strong sales catering to upscale markets and specialty users, the Apple Watch and its Android-based smartwatch rivals have become the wearable timepieces “for the rest of us.”The interview, which appeared in the British edition of GQ magazine, noted that Jobs often scolded Apple executives to never dwell on past successes, and instead to always focus on the future. Eric Jue, director of Apple Watch product marketing, quoted Jobs as saying “if you do something great, you don’t spend a lot of time looking back.” Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Charles Martin) Apple’s adoption of the RCS protocol in iOS 18 has improved communications in iMessage between users of iPhones and Android, but some security issues remain. Apple and Google are working together to fix them.RCS messaging is now available on Apple devices running iOS 18, et al.Apple’s adoption of RCS in iOS 18 will not change the “green bubble” status of Android messages on iPhone, but behind the scenes the update has brought a number of improvements. Videos, GIFs, and photos sent in messages between the two platforms now retain their original quality level, for example.iPhone users also now see when an Android user you’re in a chat with is typing, prior to their finished message appearing, and they will see the same when you’re typing. Read receipts and delivery notifications between platforms now work as they have done when chatting with iPhone users. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Charles Martin) Demonstrators in a dozen cities in the US and other countries took advantage of the publicity of the iPhone 16 launch to call for a boycott of Apple products. The protests included some current and former Apple employees.Protesters encourage Apple boycott in front of a store in Tokyo. Photo: Tomohiro OnsumiThe new demonstrations at Apple Stores centered around accusations of ignoring violence in both the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, as well as the ongoing hostilities between Gaza and Israel.The protesters accuse Apple of being complicit in the humanitarian crises in both conflict zones. A protester identified as “Lucy” by the Bristol Post news site was quoted as saying they were protesting “against Apple’s complicity in the Congelese and Palestinian genocides.” Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Amber Neely) Apple has posted a guide covering what tools you need to replace the iPhone 16 battery, and a list of other items needed to conduct wider repairs.Image credit: AppleThe guide, found on Apple’s support site, provides a small list of items you’ll need to make sure you have on hand before you start.9-volt battery Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
